First Carlist War

The First Carlist War (29 September 1833-13 May 1839) was a civil war in Spain that was fought between the liberal forces of Spanish regent Maria Christina of the Two Sicilies and the reactionary Carlist rebels loyal to Infante Don Carlos. The rebellion was provoked by the accession of the child Isabella II of Spain to the Spanish throne, and the liberal policies of Maria Christina's regency threatened the partisans of the Catholic church and reactionary politics, who coalesced around the pretender Infante Don Carlos and his right-wing followers. The pro-autocracy Carlists were strong in the Basque Country of northern Spain, winning several important victories early in the war. However, the tide of the war changed following the death of Carlist leader Tomas de Zumalacarregui in 1835, and the two sides made peace at Vergara on 13 May 1839; some Carlist forces wouldl continue the fight until July 1840. The liberal government confirmed its rule over Spain, and it reduced the rights of Basques in the north in retaliation for their rebellion. The First Carlist War was the first of three major Carlist rebellions to occur during the 19th century, as the Carlists would attempt to seize power two more times.